In this week’s podcast, the group discusses voter ID, the budget shortfall’s impact on mental health services and the 2012 Senate race — and Elise says farewell.
Elise Hu
Elise Hu was a political reporter at the Tribune, focusing on multimedia projects, from 2009 to 2011. She previously worked as the state political reporter for Austin's ABC affiliate, KVUE-TV, from 2006 to 2009. She was recognized by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters three years in a row for her beat reporting on state politics and was named Best TV Reporter Who Can Write by The Austin Chronicle. Before arriving in Austin, she held reporting positions at television stations in Waco; Greenville, S.C.; and Columbia, Mo. She's an evangelist for social media and multimedia journalism — her Political Junkie blog was listed as one of WashingtonPost.com's top Texas political blogs. A native of Plano, she has a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri.
ICYMI: The Senate Two-Thirds Debate
In case you missed it, we mashed up Wednesday’s speeches for and against the Texas Senate’s hallowed “two-thirds rule,” which senators ultimately preserved. Members voted to keep an exception to the rules that allows a simple majority to consider changes to voter identification laws.
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 63
In this week’s TribCast, Ross, Elise, Ben and Reeve discuss budget numbers, Senate rules, the U.S. Senate race and the inaugural buzz heard around Austin.
Texas Inaugurama
Gov. Rick Perry was sworn in Tuesday for an unprecedented third full term, predicting that historians will look back on this time as the “Texas century.”
Uncut: Perry’s Inauguration Speech
Full, unedited video of Gov. Rick Perry’s Tuesday inauguration speech.
TribBlog: Sparking an Apology
They’re sorry, folks. Spark Energy says it’s sincerely sorry for causing such a literal roar at this morning’s inauguration ceremony.
TribBlog: Grin and Beer It
As the inauguration parties kick off with a big party for lawmakers sponsored by the beer lobby, we looked into just how much Texans love their brewsky.
TribBlog: Perry’s Third Inauguration Liveblog
Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry is set to be sworn in for an unprecedented third term, and a good-sized crowd has turned out for the festivities (and free barbecue). Stay with us for updates from the speech and swearing-in at the Capitol.
The Weekly Recap: Jan. 10 – Jan. 14
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our all-new weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Take a look back at the top political news from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14.
Dewhurst: I’ve Got My Plate Full
Minutes after learning of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s decision not to seek re-election, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst demurred when asked whether he would run for her seat.

